She’s now locked into the district's top job through June 2015. Her original 2009 contract was slated to end in June 2013.

The new contract does not include an increase in salary or benefits, but ups Shifflette’s salary from $170,000 to $181,553.

The district says that’s not a pay increase, but a reflection of her $9,000 vehicle allowance and $3,600 in medical and dental premiums being rolled into her base salary.

Shifflette’s salary has fluctuated slightly above and below $170,000 since 2009, because it is adjusted each July 1 at the same percentage as other administrators, based on her performance.

Chairman Fred Brewer said the board is “very pleased” with her performance, but did not give increase her compensation in the new contract because of tough budget times.

The district has cut about $31 million since 2009. This year’s budget is $184.9 million.

According to a statement from the district, Shifflette earned the contract extension partly because the graduation rate increased and the dropout rate decreased while she held the district’s top spot.

Her performance was reviewed by the board in a closed meeting November 30.

Each board member used a 10-page evaluation form to rate her in nine areas including instructional leadership, internal communication, community relations, financial management and professionalism.

Not all academic indicators have improved since she took over -- the district went from one to two of its schools failing to earn full accreditation, and average SAT scores are down at each of the city’s four high schools.